The poem that is the subject of our meditation today is one that has a specific Old Testament background and a specific New Testament application.  Thus, all three references in the Bible need to be included in our study in order to have an accurate understanding of the whole picture.  The background is in Numbers 13 and 14, which is the story of the sending of 12 spies into Canaan near the beginning of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the promised land.  The “evil report” of 10 of the spies led to a sad and disgusting response of the nation—they cried, murmured, and decided to appoint a new leader, among other things.  Jehovah decided that He had had enough; so He pronounced His verdict: That generation was going to die in the wilderness.  Thus, 38 years of “wandering” began.

The poem has three sections, which will lead us to the New Testament application for Christians.

The singing that Psalm 95 encourages is to be directed “to the Lord”.  It includes the joyful noise (shout) to One Who is the rock of their salvation (v.1).  The terms used here are reminders of the beginning of the Exodus story, when the idea of the “Rock” appears (see 1 Corinthians 10:1ff).  The singing is to be characterized by joyful thanksgiving in His presence (v.2).  This reminds us of the necessity of thankfulness on our part for God’s blessings; as well as the reminder that He allows us to be “in His presence” when we bring true worship to His throne (Hebrews 4:14-16).  The singing is also to be offered for very good reasons (vv.3-5).  At least three reasons are given here:
 

• HIS GREATNESS (v.3):  as God and King.
• HIS OWNERSHIP (v.4): of all of the deep places and high hills of the earth.
• HIS RIGHT (v.5): to make and claim ownership of that which He made.

The call to worship is a call to come reverently, as we learn from the words “bow down” (v.6a).  The posture of worship is to demonstrate our humility of heart and soul; as we learn from the words “let us kneel…before our Maker”  (v.6b).  The reasons for worship are two: first, we recognize Him as God, so He must be worshipped; and second, we recognize ourselves as His flock, so we need to submit to Him (95:7a).

The lesson of the psalm had at least four parts for the people who first received it.  The first part is that the lesson was for “today”—that is, they were supposed to apply it to themselves.  They needed to sing joyfully before God in worship rather than hardening their hearts and falling from God’s favor (v.7b).  The second part is that the lesson was a warning: “DO NOT” harden your hearts.  The hearts of the first generation out of Egypt were so hard that they accused God of “hating” them (v.8a; Deuteronomy 1:26ff).  The third part is that the lesson is to be learned by having an accurate understanding of the past.  In this case, there is no excuse for not having a clear understanding, for God is the One Who provided the proper view of the “rebellion”.  The people rebelled against Him; and He went through a trial, a test, and grief before He spoke about their true spiritual condition (vv.8b-10).  The fourth part is that the lesson contained an oath—God swore that those people would not enter His rest!  Canaan was the rest; and it was His to give or not give!  In light of their sins (summed up in the word “unbelief”; Hebrews 3:19), He refused to allow them to “cross over Jordan” (v.11).

The application of this for our “today” is in Hebrews 3:7-4:13.  We who are Christians can forfeit our “rest” by not remaining faithful until the end.  Heaven belongs to God—the only ones who will enter are the ones who “hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6).

SICK LIST:  Belle Oliver’s brother-in-law is suffering from cancer.  Lynn Bradshaw’s father, B. D. Draper, is not able to be out because of his treatments for cancer.  Robyn Kendrick continues to need our prayers. 

PLANTATION SOUTH:  Group 2 is in charge of the services today at 1:30. 

TEACHER PREP CLASSES:  Brenda Rutherford will be training the women teachers who will be teaching “The Church” this spring.  The fourth and final class will be Wednesday, February 13, and will be downstairs in the multi-purpose building.

 PLACED MEMBERSHIP:   Larry Roxy recently asked to be identified with the congregation at Duluth.  We welcome Larry into our family.

FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class                 128 
AM Worship            151
PM Worship             107
Wednesday Class     119
Contribution          $4911
Budget                  $5150
 

1. Hear the Word of the Lord (Acts 2:22; Romans 10:17).
2. Believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 20:30,31; Acts 16:31).
3. Repent of All of Your Sins (Acts 17:30,31; Luke 13:3,5).
4. Confess that You Believe in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9,10).
5. Be Immersed into Christ for the Remission of Sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:3,4; Mark 16:15,16).